Eastern Michigan University’s baseball team began with an 18-2 victory over the University of Toledo Rockets on Friday, May 13. The win was the first for the Eagles at home and put EMU (32-17 overall, 14-8 MAC) in a first-place tie in the Mid-American Conference with Central Michigan University.
The EMU offense turned in a season-high 18 runs on 23 hits. Every starter in the Eagles’ lineup recorded at least one hit, with Zack Leonard and Ben Magsig leading the way with each turning in four-hit games.
Five other Eagles also posted multi-hit games including Wally Gerbus and Aaron Chavez, who tallied two hits off the bench.
Senior left-hander Robert Wendzicki went seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits, tying a season-high with eight strikeouts while issuing just one walk, moving his record to 5-5 on the season (5-3 MAC).
EMU gained a 5-0 lead in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, the Eagles sent 15 batters to the dish and scored nine runs. Six Eagles recorded run-scoring hits including Sam Ott, who doubled to right field, driving in two. He finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
EMU then posted consecutive two-run frames to make it five straight innings with at least
two runs scored. The Eagles out-hit the Rockets 23-7 in the contest.
Saturday, UT tied the series at two apiece as they took a 4-3 win. It was the first loss
this season for the Eagles in a game in which they had they lead after seven innings.
EMU sophomore and right-hander Joe Battistelli pitched seven and one-third effective innings for the Eagles, but it wasn’t enough as the Rockets pounded out 11 hits in the victory.
Mark Lapikas, James Miglin and Jim Vahalik recorded two hits apiece for the Rockets. Lapikas and Miglin provided run-scoring hits in the eighth to propel the Rockets to the
comeback victory.
For EMU, Brent Ohrman and Daniel Russel had two hits apiece for the Eagles, who left the tying run in scoring position to end the game.
The Eagles closed their weekend in Toledo with a 6-1 victory over the Rockets. EMU is now 33-18 (15-9 MAC) and have earned a spot in the MAC Tournament for the sixth consecutive season. Meanwhile, the Rockets fall to 14-10 in the MAC (25-25 overall).
Senior right-hander Corey Chaffins turned in a clutch performance in earning his seventh victory of the season. Chaffins improved to 7-4 on the season after a seven-inning effort in which he allowed just a run on six hits while striking out four and walking only one.
The New London, Ohio native faced one over the minimum through his first three innings of work and scattered just two hits over his final three frames.
The offense produced in a big way as well as the top of the order, which included Ken Battiston, Brent Ohrman and Zack Leonard, went 6-for-12 with four RBI and five runs scored. Kyle Peterson led all batters with a 3-for-4 effort including two doubles and a run scored from the ninth spot in the order.
EMU is within a half-game of first place, currently held by Central Michigan University.
The Eagles host the Chippewas in a three-game series to conclude the 2011 regular season at Oestrike Stadium May 19-21. Thursday’s opener is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
